“Opposition protests only for media attention", says Union Minister Giriraj Singh

New Delhi [India], December 3 (ANI): Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh on Wednesday criticised the Opposition for their protests in Parliament, saying their actions are aimed at grabbing media attention "as they have lost public support".

"These people do such things only to attract media attention because the public has rejected them. Outside of Parliament, they speak against the Speaker; nothing is left for them except doing such things," Giriraj Singh told the media. 

Earlier today, top leadership of Congress, including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Parliamentary party leader Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and MP Priyanka Gandhi, participated in the INDIA bloc protest against the four Labour Codes in the Parliament premises.

Claiming that the four labour codes propagate "corporate jungle raj," the INDIA bloc MPs held placards and a bigger banner said, "No to Corporate Jungle raj- Yes to Labour Justice"

The INDIA bloc protest came after the Opposition's repeated demand for a discussion concerning electoral reforms was accepted by the Government. Lok Sabha will take up the discussion on December 9.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju informed about the decisions taken at the all-party meeting on Tuesday.

"During the All Party Meeting Chaired by Hon'ble Speaker Lok Sabha today, it has been decided to hold discussion in Lok Sabha on 150th Anniversary of National Song 'Vande Mataram' from 12 Noon on Monday 8th Dec and discussion on Election Reforms from 12 noon on Tuesday 9th Dec," Rijiju said in a post on X.

Rijiju later told ANI that he looks forward to a "constructive" discussion.

"Election Commission reform is a larger issue. Parliament makes laws. For bigger reforms in the Election Commission and the Election process, Parliament takes up all the matters. SIR is an administrative matter which was decided by the ECI. That is why I had stated that if at all we have to discuss the Election Commission and its role, then we have to widen the scope, you can't just pick up a matter which is administrative in nature," he said.

"Since the matter has been settled by coming into an agreement for discussion and the time and the date have been finalised, I look forward to a very constructive and engaging discussion," he added.

Rijiju had earlier indicated a solution to the impasse, saying the government is ready to discuss electoral reforms.

Sources said the BAC meeting allocated 10 hours to discuss the 150 years of the Vande Mataram song. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to initiate the discussion on the 150th anniversary of the national song.

They said ten hours have also been allocated to the discussion on electoral reforms. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is likely to reply to the debate on Wednesday. (ANI)